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Upcoming trip

Yahoo Message Number: 1012
Here's the next part of my question looking for thoughts from our band
of vagabonds.

We leave on the 21st for Denver and will spend a few days there with the
new grandchild before heading on for further adventure and recovery :-)

We'll head west to Moab and spend a couple days there before heading
down thru monument valley and over to the Santa Fe area. We'll spend a
couple days there and head to New Orleans for a couple days and then home.

Obviously we're trying to cover more ground than we can possibly due
justice in such a short period of time, but that's what's available - 19
days.

Any recommendations of parks and best things to see in that short period
are welcome. Also thoughts on roads, winds, etc in that region.

Projected fuel usage looks to be in the 640 gallon range so we'll see
how close my figuring works out.

Take care,
Greg

Re: Upcoming trip

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1013
How about regular reports Greg?

Last May we were to meet up with about 25 couples just south of Flagstaff for a rally. Then, I had the great Idea (Feb 07 for delivery May) to downsize from the 2006 Ambassador to the Greyhawk (which was the smallest thing that would tow our new Tahoe). Anyway, we were to go from Florida to New Orleans, High Island, San Antonio (day trip to see friends in Austin), Kerrsville, Midland (wanted to see the Chaparral Museum at the Petroleum Museum http://www.petroleummuseum.org/Gallery/CarsonDisplay.html

and then Amarillo, Santa Fe, south of Flagstaff (during the week there we'd visit the Canyon and a host of other sites), then up to Monument Valley, Arches, Golden (for a trip up Mt. Evans) and then on home. We didn't go since we had to get back to do the MH swap.

So, you are doing a slug of our trip and that is why I'm very interested in how things go. We are thinking about doing it in May/June 2009 - basically the route described above. We are, however, owed one more trip to Australia and New Zealand and that could be from Feb 15 to April 12, which would then mean we'd probably defer the western trip to 2010.

What MPG are you anticipating for the Greyhawk?

We've been getting about 7.4 towing the Tahoe. On a level stretch the Scan Gauge says over 8 mpg, but we don't seem to drive on too many level stretches. Our GPS provides elevation so I often monitor that and the Scan Gauge together. I'd be much happier if we could get 8.5 as it would provide a better cruising range on a tank of fuel. As it is I try to plan our fuel stops and make sure we don't get under a 1/4 tank just to be on the safe side.

BTW, one thing we noticed on our return from Florida via Jayco was that the Flying J prices were often "higher" than other stations (particularly Pilot) and they've also removed the 1 cent discount. In one case (exit 320/326 in GA( FJ was 15 cents a gallon over Pilot.

Hope you have a great trip and I look forward to periodic reports on how well the Greyhawk behaved.

Don




On 4-May-08, at 10:19 AM, Greg Gimlick wrote:

Re: Upcoming trip

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1014
Don Leslie wrote:

Quote
How about regular reports Greg?

Sure, I'll do updates and try to add a photo or two along the way as
wifi access allows.

Quote
May) to downsize from the 2006 Ambassador to the Greyhawk

I think I'd like to do this in your Ambassador :-)

Quote
So, you are doing a slug of our trip and that is why I'm very interested
in how things go.

We really need a good month to do the trip from what I'm reading, but
you do with what you have and 19 days is it. I'm getting old and I can't
do too many 12 hour driving days to make up for time anymore. Kathy is
worried about the mountain driving from CO to UT and NM, but I keep
telling her everything is on interstates for those crossings so it won't
be too bad.

Quote
trip to Australia and New Zealand and that could be from Feb 15 to April
12, which would then mean we'd probably defer the western trip to 2010.

I think those trips would take precedence for me :-)

Quote
What MPG are you anticipating for the Greyhawk?

No idea, the last two times I took it out I didn't get a good read on
the mileage because I only filled it up once or twice and we were in the
mountains of NC. I got seven on those tanks and I wasn't towing. I'm
hoping it gets better, but of course this time we'll be towing the 4000
lb Vue.

BTW, in our build sheets it lists the transmission as MTR which should
mean it's the six speed, but the books shows the various shift selectors
and the one on mine should be for the 5 speed. Did you ever figure out
what transmission they actually used?

Quote
Scan Gauge says over 8 mpg, but we don't seem to drive on too many level
stretches. Our GPS provides elevation so I often monitor that

My GPS is a cheapie and doesn't do elevation. I'm trying to think if I
don't have a meter in my airplane stuff that will tell me that though.
I'll have to check. I grabbed a deal on a TomTom One ver 3 from Buy.com
when they were selling refurbished units for $99. A friend of mine's
company buys them that way for all of their company truck and they were
really happy. Since I didn't want to spend a bunch right now I got one
and have used it for the last three weeks. So far it seems like a heck
of a deal since it has the full one year warranty.

Quote
Scan Gauge together. I'd be much happier if we could get 8.5 as it would
provide a better cruising range on a tank of fuel.

I'll dance a jig if I can get over 8 :-) I only got 7 mph when I had the
crewcab and trailer so anything over that is gravy.

Quote
plan our fuel stops and make sure we don't get under a 1/4 tank just to
be on the safe side.

I'm the same way, I do not want to worry about running out and since the
generator won't run below a 1/4 tank I like that just for insurance.

Speaking of generators, does anyone have a clue as to the gal per hour a
gen uses in these Greyhawks?

Quote
the Flying J prices were often "higher" than other stations
(particularly Pilot) and they've also removed the 1 cent discount.

Good info, thanks. I usually use them so will look for others that are
cheaper.

Quote
Hope you have a great trip and I look forward to periodic reports on how
well the Greyhawk behaved.

It better behave well! :-) I've got some towel racks to install this
week along with drilling the bumper for the Protect-a-Tow eye bolts.
We're really looking forward to our first real road trip with it. We've
done some 300 milers since we bought it, but it's been sitting since our
Christmas trip to the Biltmore.

Take care,
Greg

Re: Upcoming trip

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1015
Here you go again - now Biltmore. That has been on our list to visit for a decade. We are going to a small rally at Sevierville, TN in Sept (River Plantation) and one of the visits we plan is Biltmore.


$99 for a GPS - good value - mine was over $1k (Garmin 2620). Next one sure won't be that much - but it does have a remote and a lot of features.


Yes, the Ambassador was a good driver and I loved the exhaust brake as well the the good torque in the Cummins ISC. It was also 8 ft longer than the Jayco and I have to admit MUCH more comfortable with 4 slides and so much more room - and fuel consumption was a bit better at 7.6 mpg.


We do not have a rear full width mud flap/dirt skirt as yet. Please let us know how difficult installation was for the Protect-a-Tow.


Shift patterns. That manual is REALLY confusing and it would be nice if they could give some examples. Let me explain what I think it is and why you (and I) have the 6 speed as the code says. I'd love to hear from others on this - especially if they think my interpretation of the Allison manual is wrong.


IF you have it in D (drive) it will run all the way up to 6th (5 and 6 being overdrive).


If you push the overdrive button off it will only shift up to 4th when you have it in drive and if you hit the button when it is in 5 or 6 it drops down to 4. (did this on I-24 coming down from Monteagle - revs sure go up).


If you put it in third it will only shift up to 3rd and then stay there. Same with second and first.


So, you are able to control the top gear it will get to and you can basically limit it to 1,2,3,4 and 6.


Anyone have an comments on the accuracy of this? Am I right or full of it.


One thing that did surprise me and I may have mentioned it last week was the way it would NOT shift into 6th in a heavy (up to 25 mph) head wind even at 60 mph. When we got passed by a couple of 18 wheelers and they protected us from the wind it shifted into 6th immediately. Then, when they got far enough in front of us that they no longer blocked the wind, down to 5th it went and up went the revs by about 250. Bucking the headwind (and usually from WIndsor to our current home in Brantford you get a tail wind) the ScanGauge often said 5 MPG. When we got east of London the wind died and everything reverted to normal.


Don





On 4-May-08, at 1:22 PM, Greg Gimlick wrote:

Re: Upcoming trip

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1016
On your way down from Moab. Stop at Canyon de Chelly (pronounced Shea)
Great place to view some cliff dwellings. Take to jeep or one of the
converted truck tours while there. This allows you to get very close
to the ruins.
While at Moab take a Hummer ride. Great experience and you get to see
some great views. Don't forget Arches and Canyon Land National parks
are in the same area.
Have a camera ready on the way down highway 191. Lot of great rock
formations along the roadway.
Also stop at Blanding. They have a nice rest area/visitors center.
Last year they gave bags full of all sorts of snacks and other goodies
to each person.
So much to do in this area. I could spend a whole 19 days there.
If you check my blog you will see lots of pictures from this years and
last years trips. http://ronjhall.livejournal.com/

Re: Upcoming trip

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1017
Great stuff. Just took a look and bookmarket it. Will have to sit DW down and let take a look. Ron, many of those locations are on our list so the photos will be very helpful. Just wish we could take 3 or 4 months for the trip.

Don


On 4-May-08, at 4:35 PM, Ron Hall wrote:

Re: Upcoming trip

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1018
Ron Hall wrote:

Quote
So much to do in this area. I could spend a whole 19 days there.
If you check my blog you will see lots of pictures from this years and
last years trips. http://ronjhall.livejournal.com/
Thanks for that info Ron, good to see the photos and get first hand
info. Where was the model airplane meet? That's sorta what I do now as a
retired Army pilot, I've been writing electric flight columns and
feature articles for the last 15 years. I've just finally started doing
a website at www.rctraveler.net or www.gimlick.com

I should hire a 12 yr old kid to do it though because they seem to have
no problem while I struggle. The site is just getting started so there
isn't much there yet.

Take care,
Greg

Re: Upcoming trip

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1019
Don Leslie wrote:

Quote
Here you go again - now Biltmore. That has been on our list to visit
for a decade.

I do what I can :-)

Quote
We are going to a small rally at Sevierville, TN in Sept
(River Plantation) and one of the visits we plan is Biltmore.

The Biltmore is a great place to visit although I've only been there
twice in the 30 years I've lived in NC. We went out last Christmas for
the candlelight tour and that is really spectacular. You appreciate it
more if you've seen the house during daylight hours though so I was glad
I had been there before.

Quote
*We do not have a rear full width mud flap/dirt skirt as yet. Please
let us know how difficult installation was for the Protect-a-Tow. *

Hopefully I'll know soon. I'm going to do the bumper piece tomorrow and
I'll do the Vue when I get it back this week. Was going to do the
motorhome today and got sidetracked by other events. Tomorrow will be
cooler so it's just as well.

Quote
*Shift patterns. That manual is REALLY confusing and it would be nice
if they could give some examples.

So it's not just me :-)

Quote
*Anyone have an comments on the accuracy of this? Am I right or full
of it. *

From the few trips we've done on ours (only 3000 miles and 900 were on
it at delivery) I'd say you're right. I'm going to pay close attention
to the shifts when I go into the dealers later this week for the final
adjustments, etc of the hitch/buddy brake work.

Quote
*One thing that did surprise me and I may have mentioned it last week
was the way it would NOT shift into 6th in a heavy (up to 25 mph) head
wind even at 60 mph.

Really, that's pretty interesting. The headwind must put enough load on
it to keep it from the final overdrive gear. I know when we came back
from the mountains I downshifted to 3 and we cruised nicely at 45 down
the mountain without ever touching the brake. It didn't seem to spool up
too high either so it was pretty comfortable.

Quote
you get a tail wind) the ScanGauge often said 5 MPG. When we got east
of London the wind died and everything reverted to normal.

I've only played with the ScanGauge a bit, but I don't think I want to
set if to show me cost per mile :-)

Take care,
Greg

Re: Upcoming trip

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1020
Another questions regarding the trip.

We've got to make some decisions on the way back. We can go down and
spend a day or two at San Antonio or we can go down thru Dallas to spend
a couple days in New Orleans.

We can do New Orleans on a short trip from NC as it's only two days
drive so that might be saved for a later date.

The question is should we do San Antonio instead since we'll be out
west. Where to stay, what to see, etc.

I was there years ago as a GI when I spent some time at Ft Hood, but my
wife has never been there. I only saw the Alamo one afternoon and a bit
of the river walk. We were only there for one afternoon though.

Take care,
Greg

Re: Upcoming trip

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1021
Greg, we'd scouted out an RV park in San Antonio and talked to friends in TX who knew it well. Blazing Star. Look at it on Google Earth to get a better feel.

http://www.blazingstarrv.com/

D


On 4-May-08, at 10:19 PM, Greg Gimlick wrote:

Re: Upcoming trip

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1024
Having never been to New Orleans I cannot comment.
But we did do San Antonio. Great Place to visit. Pictures in our blog
from February this year. We stayed at Admiralty RV park. It is near
Sea World. Nice park and is A Passport America park. $54 for 3 nights.
If you like airplanes. You can get a tour of the Mooney
(http://www.mooney.com/) airplane plant in Kerrville, TX. Need to call
ahead for the tour. It's on our list for next year.
Model planes where seen at AMA
(http://www.azmodelaviators.com/index.html). It is on East side of
Mesa, AZ. In November they have a Jet model event. BIL went to it last
fall. Amazing what they do with them. My experience with Model planes
was a crash on the return flight. I could not get the controls reversing.

Re: Upcoming trip

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1025
Ron, did you stay in Kerrville? Skip (who is on this forum) lives there and we've heard a lot of positive comments on Buckhorn. http://www.buckhornlake.com/

We were planning on staying there last year.

If we go next spring we'll also take a look at Admiralty as the rate with Passport (which we didn't renew but I guess we'd better) looks pretty good and the facility looks very good as well.

D



On 5-May-08, at 4:59 AM, Ron Hall wrote:

Re: Upcoming trip

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1026
Don we stayed at Buckhorn for a week. RV.Net Sweetheart Rally was
there. Had a great time. Place almost emptied out after rally.
We also stayed at Lady Bird Johnson RV park in Fredericksburg. We like
this place because it is just south of the airport. Lots of
interesting small planes fly in to it on weekends. See my blog for
some pictures. Also stayed at Johnson Creek RV park in Ingram. Small
layed back RV park. With animals around and a very nice clubhouse. If
you want dish, pickup can be a problem in summer though. Park is in a
pecan orchard.

Re: Upcoming trip

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1033
Don Leslie wrote:

Quote
we'd scouted out an RV park in San Antonio and talked to friends
in TX who knew it well. Blazing Star.

Looks like a nice park, thanks. I'll add this to the list of possibilities.

Take care,
Greg

Re: Upcoming trip

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1036
Ron Hall wrote:

Quote
On your way down from Moab. Stop at Canyon de Chelly (pronounced Shea)
Great place to view some cliff dwellings.

Will check this out. There are way too many things to see in the limited
time we'll be at all of these places and we've already wiped several of
them off the itinerary.

Quote
Don't forget Arches and Canyon Land National parks
are in the same area.

They're on the agenda. We were going to stay at Arch View park, but I've
read a lot of complaints about the number of ATV's running thru the park
so we're going to one in Moab now.

Quote
Have a camera ready on the way down highway 191.

DW is always ready with the camera. The last trip out west filled up
almost 800 photos.

Quote
If you check my blog you will see lots of pictures from this years and
last years trips.

Hey that's great, thanks. Looks like some great places in store for us.

Take care,
Greg
 

Re: Upcoming trip

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1037
Ron Hall wrote:

Quote
Model planes where seen at AMA
(http://www.azmodelaviators.com/index.html
Ah the home of Arizona Jets, one of the biggest and best in the country.
The editors always cover that themselves so lowly part time writers
don't get an all expenses paid trip to that :-)

Quote
Amazing what they do with them. My experience with Model planes
was a crash on the return flight. I could not get the controls reversing.

It does take a little time :-) Wait til you try a helicopter :-) I
marvel at the kids doing the 3D work inverted, that gives you reversed
controls in every control.

I'll probably take a helicopter and small plane with me for some
occasional flying where the conditions allow. I'm trying to fit them
into a tub that will fit into one of the storage compartments.

Take care,
Greg